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| Re: filter question [message #9274] |
Sat, 22 March 2008 15:35   |
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Ok for that pacticular filter, it is only for aquariums up to 80 gals. It's flow rate is 400 gph.
I would say you need a larger filter. Also when trying to reduce nitrates in an aquarium, you have to know what the number value is of your nitrates is in order to determine how much water to change. Ex... If you tank is reading 40 on nitrates, you want that number down to 15. Since there is always nitrates in water, you will never be able to get it down to 0.
So lets say you are sitting at 40. A 50 percent water change will take it down to 20 or approximatley, (in theory).
If that being the case you do another nitrate check in a couple days, take that number and do another water change until you are seing 15 or less. Do NOT do a 100 percent water change in the same day just to reduce nitrates. You will end up stressing your fish out. There is an exception, that's if your nitrates are reading over 80. Then you have to do 75 percent water change because your fish are in severe danger. Check in a couple days and do water change according to what your nitrates are reading.
Typically, we do a 25-33 percent water change every week until you get your numbers in check. Then after you establish your numbers, you can move up to one time every two weeks.
Understand?

Please come visit me at www.atozthatsme.com
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| Re: filter question [message #9284] |
Sun, 23 March 2008 09:21   |
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you can add another filter plus add some power heads to stir up the water more there liek $25 and some pump up to 100 gph so that can help to add to filtration if you place a spoge on the bottom
55 gal cichlid tank
30 gal hostpitle/fry tank
180 gal cichlid tank still in process of cleaning all stuff for it
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| Re: filter question [message #9289] |
Sun, 23 March 2008 10:55   |
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yea the thing your talking about mother is it realy sucks air in and is liek a 2 in 1 thing its like having a bubbler and a powerhead in one i got these
https://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/11463/product.web
you can set the as undergravel but i dont like it like that it comes with several attachmetns so you can just use it as a regular power head and they work good and catch big debris
55 gal cichlid tank
30 gal hostpitle/fry tank
180 gal cichlid tank still in process of cleaning all stuff for it
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| Re: filter question [message #9295] |
Sun, 23 March 2008 11:13   |
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these are a little differnt but they have a picture of the tube that sucks in the air
https://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/11467/product.web
55 gal cichlid tank
30 gal hostpitle/fry tank
180 gal cichlid tank still in process of cleaning all stuff for it
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| Re: filter question [message #9308] |
Sun, 23 March 2008 13:54   |
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absolutly not and I don't suggest undergravel filters. They do not work as well and they need to be cleaned every now and then which means tearing down one's aqarium.
Here is one of my powerheads circled in red.
Attachment: untitled.bmp
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[Updated on: Sun, 23 March 2008 13:58]

Please come visit me at www.atozthatsme.com
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| Re: filter question [message #9353] |
Wed, 26 March 2008 15:25   |
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i would suggest when putting another filter on get another emporer 400 if any thing you want more filteration on the tank that big and it doesnt hurt to have more bio filteration for the tank to hold cycle better.
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| Re: filter question [message #9363] |
Thu, 27 March 2008 11:50   |
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nice, i like the emporer brand it works great for me has alot of flow power. you can see the food swirl in the water and alot of bio filteration. doesnt need cleaned at much but i still clean it every 3 weeks or so.
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| Re: filter question [message #9387] |
Sat, 29 March 2008 22:45  |
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Ok you can either wait 6-8 weeks before changing the old filter media or
You can cut a four inch square off the old media and stick it in with the new media. Do NOT rinse the old media when doing this. Leave it's slimy coat and just put in with the new media.
This is the best way to establish new bioshpere quickly.
Important note. Every 4 weeks or so, vacuum one side of the tank. Never both side in the same week. The gravel hold important bioshpere and never ever do it while changing old filter media.
Now here is the thing about water changes when doing filter change. At all times when you put a new filter in, you should also be cutting a 4 inch square off old media to keep biosphere strong. I have heard several people say they have heard never do a water change after doing a filter change.
I have never ever gone on that info. When you do a water change, you should only be taking the water off the very top of the tank. Not in the middle or the bottom. The top is where all the dangerous ammonia and nitrates can mostly be found. I always do a water change BEFORE I do a filter change. Maybe that's what the difference is. When I do a water change and filter change, I do the water first to take old ammonia out or nitrates and then when I put the new filter in the canister filter, all the old junk comes out into the water and the filter sucks it back up leaving valuable biosphere in the water.
So key points
-only half the tank vacuumed every 4 weeks.
-only take the top water off during a water change
-and when replacing old filter media, cut 4 inch square and place with new filter media.
Hope that helps.

Please come visit me at www.atozthatsme.com
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